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Game Info
Year
2018
Players
1-4
Age
8+
Playtime
90 min
Collection
Your Tier
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Description
For generations, the fertile Hiddenlands were shared by the peoples of the Five Realms. The Elves, Mages, Dwarves, Halflings and Humans lived peacefully with each other, though they increasingly engaged in fierce competition for the prosperity and glory of their respective nations.
And so it was that when the divisiveness threatened to break the thousand-year peace, the Goblin Hordes from across the sea unleashed a devastating surprise attack, and the peoples of the Hiddenlands could not unify quickly enough to repel them. Remnants of each of the realms fled by ship, until they at last discovered a new, unoccupied land upon which they could begin building their civilizations anew. The old rivalries would remain, of course, but perhaps this time, their competition with each other would not welcome disaster. It was a time of hope, a time for exploration and construction, and a time of renewed competition in a new world they called Pandoria.
In the "gamer's game" 'Pandoria', players discover this new land by placing tiles, and they claim its territory and resources by placing their people. When a type of terrain is completely surrounded by other terrain, every worker on the borders of that terrain gains its resources. Although more than one civilization will usually benefit, each player tries to gain more than the others. Mining gold gives you income to buy cards that have two options: buildings and spells. Acquiring wood allows you to build that side of the card for permanent advantages, while mining crystals gives you the power to use the card for its one-time spell instead. Excess resources can be converted into prestige Points, and some buildings can generate more. When the new land has been fully explored (all tiles have been placed), the player with the most prestige is declared the most powerful nation of Pandoria and wins the game!
The game includes a streamlined beginner game, as well as expanded rules for the complete game that includes asymmetrical player powers.
The second edition from 2024 has the following changes:
- The game board is double-sided
- The 5 realms are newly designed
- the cover is brighter/friendlier
- the cards have a little different size
- some realm characteristics are revised
- the rule book has 4 pages more
- the starting player tile is newly designed
Find everything here: https://www.irongames.de/wordpress/index.php/the-games/pando...
—description from the designer
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 11
This page: 11
Sentiment:
pos 7 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 2
Showing 1–11 of 11
Video lBa6s_409cE
Getting Games Review at 53:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 91780 · mention_pk 246394
Click to watch at 53:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging combos and engine-building through tile interactions
- Compact and quick drafting with meaningful choices
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- asymmetric race / tiles — Asymmetric bonuses; double hex tiles; region scoring; spells and buildings; money crystals; shuttle mechanisms
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- "this is a worker placement game"
- "the main economy of the game is money"
- "a simple full drafting combo-tastic style game"
- "engine-building, combo-tastic style game"
- "we solved the puzzles"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ZwCeBLeO6iE
Getting Games Discussion at 35:15
video_pk 90899 · mention_pk 243377
Click to watch at 35:15 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
No quotes stored for this video.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 5DCdxSzG1pc
Getting Games Discussion at 17:34 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89800 · mention_pk 239131
Click to watch at 17:34 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- fascinating game
- highly ranked/top-tier quality mentioned
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- communal tile laying with big combos
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- communal tile laying — shared work to place tiles and create large combos
- Tile Placement — shared work to place tiles and create large combos
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- i am an accidental videographer
- the video output has been a lot less
- engine building is not a mechanism
- i've spent a lot of time zooming around with the camera
- the video versions are getting more views than the podcast downloads
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video nsV5hNFGrSQ
Watch It Played Top 10 List at 12:12 sentiment: positive
video_pk 88947 · mention_pk 235484
Click to watch at 12:12 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Criminally overlooked area control masterpiece
- Asymmetric and highly interactive
Cons
- Too purple
Thematic elements
- Discovery, territory and resource claiming, nation building
- Fertile hidden lands of Pandoria
Comparison games
- Pandoria Merchants
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Area control games were like kind of my bread and butter I really enjoyed the Styles games I still do.
- Tile Placement — Players discover the land by placing tiles.
- Worker Placement — Claim its territory and Resources by placing their people.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It's this really big puzzle that only gets more complicated as it goes so it just looks so cool
- I am all in on the gardening themed rolling right genre and and this um I mean pencil first games has got a series of games are kind of in this gardening and I would say almost like relaxing and pleasant kind of theming of their games
- The artwork is delicious looks like it's a gardener who's been sketching their Garden of whilst they've been sat in it you know and it's just it's very nice in it
- If this game weren't so purple it is so purple really you are underestimating how purple it is it's profoundly purple.
- So much of the scoring is hidden like you're having a certain amount of points out on the board but the rest of the points like half the points in the game is all in your hands right and you never know who's gonna win and that sounds really exciting to me.
- This thing is still going as in its original Incarnation the original designer ever this is still happening it's still crazy popular it has true staying power power.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video l5jJvYPuIac
Board Gaming Ramblings Discussion at 14:21 sentiment: negative
video_pk 86803 · mention_pk 226051
Click to watch at 14:21 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
Negative (being 'called')
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this whole video is US looking at 40 boxes saying this is a great game let's never play it again
- so this is like a nice set for somebody want to play it you have everything need for like a lot of
- this is a game I I thought I had fun while I played it but then we tried to get it played again for keeper K and it just like I it was always something else I wanted to play more than this
- sometimes you have to know that the person you play these games with have the wrong taste and they will not play it with you
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ER3QHYZIDfA
Board Gaming Ramblings Top 10 List at 2:20 sentiment: positive
video_pk 38060 · mention_pk 221814
Click to watch at 2:20 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- unique multisection hex layout
- engaging resource gathering and growth arc
Cons
- replayability depends on setup; feels variable
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Majority — Players place hex-like areas to claim resources and form sprawling networks.
- area majority / tile placement — Players place hex-like areas to claim resources and form sprawling networks.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a great mix of things I like and things I don't like
- it's a very deceiving game because you are playing this pretty light child drafting game and then it's like oh you don't have stuff
- ton of fun
- one of the best narrative stories I have experienced in a game
- it's fantastic you should play it
- it's a heavy game and my brain melts when I'm playing it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video EyGkQSn7T-w
Board Game Animal Review at 2:12 sentiment: positive
video_pk 36551 · mention_pk 217815
Click to watch at 2:12 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Clever decision space per turn
- Fits Unmatched’s quick play style
- Adds thematic flair with a box mechanic
Cons
- Can introduce high variance if pushed too far
Thematic elements
- Push-your-luck with a box mechanic
- Unmatched arena with mythic box mechanics
- Decision-heavy turns with risk-reward choices
Comparison games
- Massive Darkness
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Arrow-like draw flow — Shares a dynamic draw/stop loop similar to other push-your-luck games.
- Push Your Luck — Open Pandora's box and dig deeper until you stop or bust.
- Push-your-luck box — Open Pandora's box and dig deeper until you stop or bust.
- Risk-reward decisions — Continuing to draw cards yields advantages but risks taking damage.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Blackbeard is absolutely terrific, and I can see climbing the ranks of my unmatched tiers very quickly.
- The back-and-forth economy can give you major swings if you plan ahead properly.
- Pandora delivers a really interesting push your luck mechanism into the gameplay.
- Loki is a very technical character to play with and can be absolutely deadly.
- Chupacabra is the most basic character in the set. It's basically a way to farm cards.
- Unmatched is not afraid to give a character as their special ability essentially a little mini-game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6JVMgTqpZyc
Getting Games Top List at 0:51 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11862 · mention_pk 121362
Click to watch at 0:51 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- strong asymmetry that creates varied, replayable experiences
- engaging three-resource scoring system with dynamic tension between players
- interesting turn flow that rewards planning and timing
Cons
- mechanics can be dense for first-time players
- promos and expansion variants may complicate initial setup
Thematic elements
- asymmetric area control and conquest with area scoring
- fantasy world with asymmetric fantasy races (elves, halflings, dwarves, etc.)
- players pursue asymmetric powers and mid-game combat/synergy in a shared score system
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area scoring with enclosure — when a player encloses a terrain type with workers on the board, that terrain type scores at end of the round
- Asymmetrical faction abilities — each race/house has its own asymmetric ability that alters the way you generate resources and score
- Compound Scoring — when a player encloses a terrain type with workers on the board, that terrain type scores at end of the round
- resource economy and tableau — resources (gems, money, wood) feed spells, buildings, and ongoing effects from a player tableau
- Tile Placement — players place two-hex terrain tiles to form contiguous scoring regions on a public board
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the asymmetries which are really wonderful
- every turn is the main engine; you're trying to build up these combos
- this game is a big winner
- holy cow this is amazing
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video dUsnx5xPntE
Board Games With B7 Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7247 · mention_pk 88637
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Deep strategic depth and robust tile-placement/territory-control design
- High replayability due to multiple realms and modes
- Beautiful artwork and component quality
- Second edition improvements (double-sided board, updated art, balance tweaks)
- Flexible player counts with varied pacing (2 players vs 3–4 players, scales nicely)
- Partnership variant adds a cooperative/alternating dynamic
Cons
- Iconography can be unclear for new players; a dedicated player aid would help
- Box lacks an insert and components can feel crowded without organization
- Longer playtimes at higher player counts (up to around 2 hours) may be daunting for some
- Overall complexity may be intimidating for casual hobbyists
Thematic elements
- Territory-building strategy in a reimagined fantasy setting with realm-specific abilities
- Fantasy world Pandora, five Realms (elves, Mages, dwarves, halflings, humans) contesting for dominance in a charted land
- Mythic-fantasy, with emphasis on strategic expansion and realm rivalry
Comparison games
- Go
- Carcassonne
- Citrus
- Gunkimono
- Yellow and Yangtze
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Regions are closed to trigger scoring and resource benefits for nearby workers and leaders.
- Area influence / region control — Regions are closed to trigger scoring and resource benefits for nearby workers and leaders.
- Card abilities and spells — Spell cards and realm tableau provide one-time effects and ongoing bonuses that affect round play.
- Card/Chit Market — Face-down tiles and a market provide draw mechanics and strategic card selection.
- Decks and markets — Face-down tiles and a market provide draw mechanics and strategic card selection.
- enclosure — Closing regions yields scoring and resource rewards; surrounding regions interacts with terrain types.
- End Game Bonuses — Score based on territories, remaining resources, and tableau benefits at game end.
- End-game scoring — Score based on territories, remaining resources, and tableau benefits at game end.
- Monuments and monuments building — Construct monuments for Glory points with building cost interactions and overbuilding rules.
- Resource Management — Collect crystals, gold, wood, and other resources to pay costs and activate abilities.
- Tile Placement — Place tiles adjacent to existing ones to expand territories, forming regions and shaping the map.
- Worker deployment — Deploy workers to newly placed tiles and castles to claim resources and victory points.
- Worker Placement — Deploy workers to newly placed tiles and castles to claim resources and victory points.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The replayability of Pandora is impressive, especially with the unique realm abilities and various game modes.
- Pandora is sure to resonate with you as well.
- The gameplay revolves around strategic territory building.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Ui4qA4c_2QQ
BoardGameBollocks Discussion at 3:51 sentiment: negative
video_pk 4034 · mention_pk 91368
Click to watch at 3:51 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
- described as a common low-effort release
Cons
- pandas connection feels forced
- vision of the game is unappealing
Thematic elements
- Pandas and general whimsy
- Pandas-themed flavor
- Light, jokey party/social flavor
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- poker_in_a_box — Card-based betting/card play with a boxed presentation.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- i don't know why we picked this up
- i have no idea what it is
- it's an area control game
- it's just weird looking
- this is a half decent pickup and deliver game
- it's actually a half decent game stock market building and other stuff
- you'll be putting tokens up on a series of tracks
- it's a tower defense game called samurai spirit
- Imagine the promise of this was quite intriguing at the time
- it's essentially poker in a box i think
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 9DVBKa-l5jE
Board to Death TV - Board Game Reviews Review at 2:49 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 1821 · mention_pk 91974
Click to watch at 2:49 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Classic euro gameplay feel that is approachable to euro skeptics and veterans alike
- Clear, functional mechanics that interlock without heavy rule-bloat
- Tile placement and region scoring offer satisfying spatial decisions
- Monuments and market cards provide accelerator paths for scoring and variety
Cons
- Lacks a strong wow factor or thematic immersion that distinguishes it from other euros
- Feels dated; replay value can suffer at higher player counts and with repeated plays
- Race-specific abilities are present but don’t drastically alter the core experience
- Theme often feels secondary to mechanics, reducing emotional pull
Thematic elements
- Racial rivalry, civilization-building, resource management, and territorial expansion
- A newly discovered land where rival races vie for prosperity and avoid dissolving into old feuds
- Fantasy-Euro style with race-specific abilities and a tile/monument-driven immigration motif; emphasis on mechanistic progression over rich narrative
Comparison games
- Carcassonne
- Catan
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- building cards and monuments — Buildings provide ongoing effects (points, resources, or special powers) and monuments provide high scoring opportunities but rely on a discount mechanism from underneath-building costs.
- discount mechanics — To erect top-level buildings, you must discount from the building underneath, with a minimum cost of one Wood, shaping depth of construction choices.
- monument placement and scoring — Monuments score high but require placement above existing buildings; their value drops as the game progresses, encouraging early acquisition.
- region scoring / area completion — When a region of the same terrain type is closed off by surrounding tiles, every player scores resources based on the region's resources and the number of their adjacent figures.
- Resource Management — Active players can buy market cards with coin costs, tying resource management to card-driven options and endgame scoring potential.
- resource market and card buying — Active players can buy market cards with coin costs, tying resource management to card-driven options and endgame scoring potential.
- spells and crystals — Spending crystals to gain one-time immediate effects via spell cards, adding a momentary strategic twist to timing and resource use.
- Tile Placement — On your turn, place a tile adjacent to an existing tile (your castle tile or touring tile) to extend your own network and influence on the board.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Pandaria has a very very classic euro feel to it
- this game really reminded me of a cross between Carcassonne and Catan with its gameplay
- but euros lately also have an added wow factor that I feel Pandaria misses on
- wow factor is missing for me personally it didn't create that itch of let's play again
- which affects its replay value it almost seems as if this game came out a decade ago
- a fine functional score of seven out of ten
- score maximum points and not lose it
- the market and monuments offer depth without turning the game into analysis paralysis
- the mechanics are clearly functional and accessible, which is a strength for a euro-style title
- I actually love euros but they need more than traditional tile-and-resource loops
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–11 of 11